L-bead: a leak prevention system for stucco surfaces

ABSTRACT

The L-Bead system is a system for use as a plaster or stucco stop where the plaster or stucco meets a separate surface such as window or door frames or jamb. Typical plaster stop in the stucco masonry industry consists of a perforated strip running parallel to the jamb with a plastic edge acting to contain the applied plaster or stucco surface. Traditional plaster stop is routinely installed approximately ¼-inch away from jamb in order to account for differences in the raised height of the jamb or other surface. The resulting gap or space requires the installation of a backer rod between the plaster stop and the edge of the jamb. This can add considerably to construction time and costs.  
     The L-Bead system provides a stop system which eliminated the need for the installation of a backer rod and thereby reduces the potential for leaks. The L-Bead system adds an additional plastic strip to the back and along the length of the stop. The L-Bead is installed flush against the jamb for a tighter fit, eliminating the need for a backer rod, and requiring only a small amount of caulking over the area for a finished job. This new system will save time and money and will significantly reduce the potential for leaks in these areas.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0001] This invention was not made, invented or otherwise promoted byany federally sponsored research or development grants, monies or otherfinancial or other support. It was developed in an entirely privatefashion by the inventor.

DESCRIPTION Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to the application of stucco or plaster inhomes or other buildings and specifically to the stop system usedbetween the edge of the stucco or plaster surface and the adjoiningframe for windows and doors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Stucco and/or plaster are typically used for both interior andexterior surfaces in home or commercial building construction. Stucco orplaster is routinely applied to a galvanized wire mesh over felt paperwhich has been attached to underlying plywood or other sheathingmaterial. (See FIG. 1.) In order to provide a smooth edge where thestucco or plaster meets a door or window jamb or frame, plastic stopstrips are installed along the desired edge of the stucco or plaster tocontain it and provide for an even finish.

[0004] The plastic stop often used for this purpose is presented in FIG.2. The plaster stop generally consists of a perforated plastic stripapproximately 2 inches wide with a plastic lip or edge acting to containthe stucco or plaster away from the jamb or frame. The plaster stop istypically installed approximately {fraction (1/4)} inch away from thejamb or frame, leaving a gap between the stop and the backing surface.In order to provide a complete finish, the worker must install a backerrod into the gap and then apply a finishing layer of caulk.

[0005] The extra time and materials necessary for installation of thebacker rod and finishing caulk layer can add considerably to the costsand duration of the construction. The L-Bead eliminates the need forinstallation of a backer rod—saving considerable time and money—andsignificantly cuts down on the potential for leaks around windows anddoors.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention, L-Bead system, provides a system forquick, efficient and lower-cost installation of stucco and or plasterwhich cuts down on the potential for leaks around windows and doors. TheL-Bead is used as a stop between the edge of the stucco or plastersurface and the adjacent jamb or window/door frame. Proper installationof existing plaster stop requires a {fraction (1/4)} inch gap betweenthe stop and the jamb, mandating the installation of a backer rod andsupplemental caulking. The L-Bead system eliminates this need by addingan extra plastic strip or “lip” along the edge of existing plaster stopwhich abuts directly to the jamb, thereby simplifying a smooth finishand minimizing the potential for leaks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007]FIG. 1

[0008]FIG. 1 shows the typical manner in which stucco or plaster will beapplied and installed in homes or other buildings around window or doorframes or adjacent to other surfaces such as aluminum siding using theL-Bead system. Such construction occurs in layers, with each layer givena number in order of installation. A wire mesh layer of galvanized wire(#3) is anchored over felt paper (#1) to the backing wall (usuallyplywood or a similar material). Scratch and finish coats of plaster orstucco (#4 and #5) are applied to the wire layer. Where the stucco orplaster meets a window or door jamb or another surface, plastic L-Beadstopping strips (#2) are nailed to the backing wall behind or adjacentto the galvanized wire layer. The edge of the stop closest to the jambis raised to contain the stucco or plaster and keep it away from thejamb or frame. The key to the L-bead is the separate backing “lip” alongthe plastic stop which directly abuts the jamb or other surface. Nobacking rod is necessary. A final small layer of caulk (#6) is appliedto finish the job.

[0009]FIG. 2

[0010]FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an enlarged view of existing plasterstop. The perforated portion of the plaster stop is nailed or otherwiseattached to the backing wall. The lip on the edge of the plaster stopacts to contain the plaster or stucco and keep it away from the door orwindow jamb.

[0011]FIG. 3

[0012]FIG. 3 shows the new L-Bead. As with traditional plaster stop, theperforated portion is nailed or otherwise attached to the backing wall.The higher lip part of the stop contains the stucco or plaster. Theadded backing lip of the L-Bead abuts directly to the jamb andeliminates the need for a backer rod, thereby cutting down on both leaksand installation time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The L-Bead system significantly reduces the time and costsnecessary to install smooth finishes where stucco or plaster meetswindow or door frames or jamb. In ordinary house of buildingconstruction, exterior and interior surfaces are often made of stucco orplaster. The method of installation of these materials is generallyconsistent in the construction business and usually involves theinstallation of a felt layer over the backing wall (plywood or similarmaterial), a galvanized wire (or lathe) layer, and both scratch andfinish coats of stucco or plaster. (See FIG. 1.)

[0014] Leaking and other problems often occur where the stucco orplaster finish aligns with other design constructs of the home orbuilding, such as windows or doors. Stop strips which contain and formthe outer boundaries of the stucco or plaster surfaces where they meetwindow or door jambs have been developed to improve the seal andfinishes of these adjacencies. In particular, the use of standardplaster stop strips as shown in FIG. 2 has become standard practice inthe stucco and masonry business.

[0015] However, for traditional plaster stop to be properly installedand finished, the worker typically installs the plaster stop {fraction(1/4)} inch from the edge of the door or window jamb. The resulting gapmust be filled with a backing rod and properly caulked for the correctfinish. Installation of this backing rod and additional caulking coststime and money, particularly where the architectural design calls fornumerous windows, doors or other interruptions in stucco or plastersurfaces.

[0016] The inventor has come up with a system which eliminates the needfor installation of a backing rod by manufacturing an additional stripof plastic which is bound to the existing plaster stop and abutsdirectly against the jamb or other surface. The L-Bead systemsignificantly modifies both the existing plaster stop unit itself andthe ease of installation.

[0017] Plaster stop strips routinely consists of a thin, 2-inch widestrip of plastic which is perforated throughout its length and whichcontains an edge strip of plastic approximately {fraction (1/2)} inchhigh running along one side of the strip. The top {fraction (1/4)} inchof this additional plastic strip is then bent back over the wide,perforated portion strip forming a “lip” which runs along the entirelength of the stop. See FIG. 2. When the plaster stop is nailed to thebacking wall, it is installed approximately {fraction (1/4)} inch awayfrom the jamb or other surface. The lip side contains and holds thestucco or plaster in place providing a smooth, straight edge.

[0018] Because traditional plaster stop must be installed {fraction(1/4)} inch from the jamb for it to perform properly, there remains a{fraction (1/4)} inch gap running the entire length of the adjacencybetween the stucco and the door or window jamb. In typical construction,this gap is filled with a backing rod and requires considerable caulkingwhich often leads to leaking or other problems. The L-Bead systemeliminates this last step and will greatly improve constructiontechniques for reducing leaks in windows or doors.

[0019] The L-Bead system alters traditional plaster stop by adding aseparate backing strip to the existing plaster stop. The additionallength of plastic stripping is attached to the outside of the lip andruns along the entire length of the stop. (See FIG. 3.) Whereas theoriginal plaster stop contained the stucco or plaster, the L-Bead systemnot only contains the stucco or plaster, but also provides a backingstrip which abuts directly against the jamb or other surface and therebyeliminates the need for (and serves the purpose of) a backing rod andadditional caulking. Because the additional backing strip is locatedlower than the lip containing the stucco, it can account for variationsin the jamb or other surface. A simple and thin caulking over theL-Bead, where it meets the jamb of other surface, makes for a smooth,leakproof finish.

[0020] L-Bead eliminates the need for backing rods around windows, doorsor any other place where stucco or plaster meets a different surface.Given that a typical house design includes numerous windows, doors,garages, or other architectural interruptions in stucco surfaces, theelimination of backer rods and simplified construction associated withthe L-Bead system will save millions of dollars in construction costsand will greatly improve such finishes against leaking or otherproblems.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new stop system for mounting along the edge ofwhere plaster or stucco material meets a frame or jamb of a window ordoor. The L-Bead consists of a perforated plastic strip with both ahigher lip running along the length of the stop to contain the plasteror stucco material and an additional plastic strip attached to the backof the higher lip which abuts directly to the window or doorjamb, fillsin the gap, and eliminates the need for installation of a backer rodthereby cutting down considerably on the potential for leaks.